Haltermann Solutions celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2013. This is a remarkable accomplishment for any company as statistics show that less than 25% of businesses survive 20 years. I am proud of all the individuals at Haltermann that contributed to this accomplishment. Their dedication to developing and manufacturing exceptional quality, specialty fuels while focusing on serving the customer has been a model that has endured the test of time. We can’t look back and rest on our laurels however. The specialty fuel needs of our customers is constantly changing and becoming ever more challenging. We know that we must continually invest in all aspects of our business to make sure we are prepared for the NEXT 50 years. There are many examples, but I’ll just highlight one of these areas.

Haltermann Solutions expands its Laboratory Testing Capabilities

Haltermann Solutions recently completed accreditation to the ISO 17025-2005 Standard. The accreditation, awarded by the American Association of Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA), was received for several analytical procedures performed at the Houston Lab, as well as its two satellite production facilities (located in Nixon, TX and Hamtramck, MI). While accreditation to the ISO 17025 Standard is voluntary, we recognize the value of the accreditation for various reasons. First and foremost, our customers’ asked for it. The increasing complexities involved with the development and production of Test and Reference fuels is becoming ever more demanding. We chose to meet these complexities and challenges head-on in an effort to address our customers’ needs and to remain the leader in the Test and Reference fuel industry in North America. Demonstrated proficiencies as a result of the evaluation performed by A2LA include:

Accreditation has been granted to Haltermann Solutions by A2LA for the following:

Test:

Test Method:

Distillation of Petroleum Products

ASTM D86

Cetane Index

ASTM D976

Hydrocarbon Types by FIA

ASTM D1319

Heat of Combustion calculated

ASTM D3338

Hydrogen Content calculated

ASTM D3343

Density by Digital Density Meter *

ASTM D4052*

Cetane Index by Four Variable calculation

ASTM D4737

Driveability Index calculated

ASTM D4814

Vapor Pressure Mini Method*

ASTM D5191*

Total Sulfur by UV Fluorescence

ASTM D5453

Sulfur by Energy Dispersive X-ray

ASTM D4294

Cold Filter Plug Point

ASTM D6371

Test:

Test Method:

Pour Point

ASTM D97

Pour Point

ASTM D6749

Cloud Point

ASTM D2500

Cloud Point

ASTM D7683

Freeze Point

ASTM D2386

Flash Point

ASTM D93

Viscosity

ASTM D445

Ash Content

ASTM D482

Acid Number

ASTM D664

Copper Corrosion

ASTM D130

Water Reacting Rate

ASTM D1094

Total Aromatics in Gasoline by GC

ASTM D5580

Total Aromatics in Gasoline by GC/MS

ASTM D5769

Benzene and Toluene in Gasoline by GC

ASTM D3606

Oxygenates in Gasoline by GC

ASTM D4815

n-Heptane and Isooctane by GC

ASTM D2268

Particulate Matter

ASTM D5452

*Denotes tests and methods run in the Haltermann Solutions Houston laboratory AND production facilities located in Nixon, TX and Hamtramck, MI.

This effort represents a good start, but Haltermann Solutions is not standing still. Recent developments have paved the way for us to expand our list of accredited offerings. Haltermann Solutions’ recently completed capital project, a new physical properties Lab in Houston, TX, will facilitate this expansion and solidify Haltermann Solutions as the leader in the Test and Reference Fuel industry for the next 50 years.

As our accredited list of analytical tests expands, we will continue to evaluate our technical capabilities, allowing us to enhance and increase those capabilities to meet our Customers’ needs. What will the next 50 years look like? Time will tell, but rest assured that we are committed and looking forward to meeting the increasing complexities and challenges that lie ahead.

United Launch Alliances’s Atlas V rocket successfully launched from Cape Canaveral today fueled by propellant made by Haltermann Solutions! The payload for this launch was a National Reconnaissance Office satellite.

Our last price adjustment occurred in November 2012. For a long period, raw material pricing varied little, allowing us to hold pricing steady throughout 2013. A current analysis indicates that raw material pricing has moved enough to result in a change in pricing of several of our products. We are pleased to announce that these adjustments represent price DECREASE of several of our gasoline emission certification products. In addition, we have significantly lowered Made-to-order (MTO) drummed fuels in quantities above 10 drums.

Given our historical pricing strategy, we are passing the savings on to you.

The price adjustments will be effective Monday, March 3, 2014.

For all customers using blanket pricing, the new blankets will be sent to you by this Friday, February 14, 2014. Please ensure that the new blanket prices are uploaded by the effective date in March. Haltermann will verify that the blanket prices are reflected in customer systems prior to the effective date to minimize any chance of delayed shipments.

To determine the price impact of the specific fuels you purchase, please contact your Haltermann Solutions customer service representative or your Account Manager.

Over the past several years, our pricing actions have been consistent with our previous price announcements in which we committed to the following:

If the variation, up or down, in Haltermann’s raw material pricing is relatively small, Haltermann is committed to maintain price levels to help stabilize fuel prices.

If, however, the cost of our raw materials changes, in either direction, up or down, beyond nominal levels, we adjust our pricing accordingly. Therefore, effective March 3, 2014, we are pleased implement modest price changes for our products; some have increased, some have no change, but MOST HAVE DECREASED.

We know how much effort is needed by our customers to implement price adjustments and want to thank you in advance for your efforts. If raw material prices again stabilize, we will strive to reduce the frequency of price adjustments and provide price stability.

Finally, our customers have asked us to make quarterly price announcements, whether the pricing has moved or not. Hence, please expect another announcement from Haltermann in May 2014.

We sincerely appreciate your continued business with Haltermann Solutions. Please contact your Haltermann Account Managers, Elisha Petersen (313-806-9172) or Josh Petersen (615-812-7063), your customer service representative (800-969-2542) or me, personally, should you have any questions.

ASTM ISSUES NEW REVISIONS TO STANDARD TEST METHOD FOR RESEARCH OCTANE NUMBER OF SPARK-IGNITION ENGINE FUE, D-2699 -13b and STANDARD TEST METHOD FOR MOTOR OCTANE NUMBER OF SPARK-IGNITION ENGINE FUEL, D-2700 – 13b

ASTM has published revisions of the following two specifications STANDARD TEST METHOD FOR RESEARCH OCTANE NUMBER OF SPARK-IGNITION ENGINE FUE, D-2699 -13b and STANDARD TEST METHOD FOR MOTOR OCTANE NUMBER OF SPARK-IGNITION ENGINE FUEL, D-2700 – 13b. These test methods cover the quantitative determination of the knock rating of spark-ignition fuels in terms of Research Octane Number and Motor Octane Number, respectively. Section 8.3 in each of the specifications describes the Primary Reference Fuels (PRF) used in these tests. Previous revisions of these specifications identified specific manufacturers of these products as there were only a very limited number of suppliers that provided these reference products. However, in 2012, Haltermann Solutions introduced a family of PRF octane products including the products listed in section 8.3. Introduction of these products and recognition that there was now more than just a single supplier was recognized by the ASTM membership responsible for the stewardship of these specifications. They felt, given this change, that there was no longer the need to identify specific PRF manufacturers in the specifications and the company names were subsequently removed.

The cetane numbers (ASTM D-613) for the high and low check fuels were determined to be 55.48 and 40.14, respectively. This data is from ASTM Subcommittee D02.01 Section E on Reference Materials (Report No. D1079) and was based on round-robin certification tests performed by the Diesel National Exchange.

The products are now in inventory and available for immediate shipment.

Watch for additions to the Haltermann portfolio of octane and cetane reference products in the near future.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Haltermann’s Account Manager for Reference Fuels, Josh Petersen, at 615-943-6431 or your Haltermann Solutions Customer Service Representative at 800-969-2542. Additionally, inquiries can be submitted to Haltermann via email at HPQUOTE@JHALTERMANN.COM.

Haltermann has been manufacturing and supplying specialty fuels to its customers now for over 50 years.

It’s hard to believe that 2013 is almost behind us. As the Christmas holiday draws near, we are reminded of all the things we truly have to be thankful for from both a business and a personal standpoint.

As we approach this season, we must take the time to remember and support those who have struggled either physically or financially. Further, all of us continue to face the challenges of an ongoing sluggish economic climate.

Through all of this, you, our customers, now for over 50 years have continued to provide us your unwavering confidence and support to provide your specialty fuels.

We owe all of you our sincere thanks.

As a token of our appreciation, we are announcing a special Christmas Promotion, CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY (again), for all of our customers.

For ALL ORDERS placed between Monday, December 9, 2012 (today) and Friday, December 20, 2013, Haltermann Solutions is pleased to offer the following savings:

5% off the fuel price of ALL orders (drum or bulk) placed during the program period

This program can equate to significant savings. For example, the savings on a full 7,000 gallon load of Tier II EEE (HF-0437) would be over $2,900!

There is no limit to the number of orders you can place during this period. However, orders placed under this promotion must ship within the scheduled lead time for that product. Haltermann may extend the shipping time at its discretion due to the availability of shipping vessels.

We hope you all can take full advantage of this promotion.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your respective Account Manager, either Elisha Petersen at 313-806-9172, Josh Petersen at 615-943-6431 or your Haltermann Solutions Customer Service Representative at 800-969-2542.

Again, we wish to thank you for your continued business and the opportunity you provide us each and every day to meet your test and reference fuel needs.

I’d like to dedicate this issue to a discussion about the people at Haltermann Solutions. To be sure, Haltermann is the leading manufacturer of automotive test and reference fuels in North America; but this is only part of the story.

Manufacturing high quality specialty fuels is only WHAT we do.

HOW we accomplish this plays an equally important part of our success and what separates Haltermann from other fuel suppliers now for over 50 years.

We know that the difference between just supplying a specialty fuel and having a loyal, extremely satisfied customer can be as simple as the human and relational touches Haltermann employees make along the way while fulfilling a transaction.

What does “relational” mean?

To Jenny, leader of our customer service team, it may mean working with customer requirements to meet a tight delivery schedule.

To Elisha, national account manager for automotive fuels, it may mean traveling to a customer’s location and handing out Haltermann donated gift cards to their employees who suffered devastating losses after a tornado ravaged their town.

To Josh, manager national accounts for aerospace, it may mean traveling to a major aerospace company to present a new supply chain strategy that will result in significant savings for the customer.

To Mike, our technical service specialist, it may mean helping a customer develop fuel specifications after their initial question was, “I’m conducting a project. What kind of fuel do I need?”

To Mark, our director of manufacturing and supply chain, it may mean contacting a customer and telling them that we modified a process to head off a problem he sees coming that they aren’t even aware of yet.

To Joel, a fuel formulation specialist, what does “relational” mean? Well, after being with our company for 45 years and knowing all the major players in the business, that may well be the definition of “relational”.

It’s folks like these, along with the rest of our employees, who make up the very soul of Haltermann Solutions.

I believe this is what has separated us from the rest of the pack for the past 50 years and will continue to do so.

I am immensely proud of my association with such a fine group of individuals who truly make Haltermann Solutions what it is today.

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Haltermann Solutions™ (a division of Johann Haltermann, Ltd.) with business offices located in Houston, Texas, is a premier manufacturer of Specialty Fuels and is North America’s leading manufacturer of Test and Reference fuels for the automotive and industrial industry.